A major campaign concerning Australia’s Renewable Energy Target is about to begin in marginal seats in Queensland in the lead-up to the state election; among other actions that should also make the Federal Government really sit up, take notice and act accordingly.
The Australian Solar Council, the Queensland Council of Unions and Queensland Conservation are embarking on a high profile campaign over the next 5 months encouraging Queensland’s many solar households and others to support political parties that back good solar policies.
“Since Campbell Newman’s LNP was elected two and a half years ago, unemployment has hit its highest point in more than a decade, rising to 6.8%. Mr Newman has supported the Abbott Government’s push to dismantle the RET, and if this is allowed to happen thousands more Queenslanders will be unemployed,” said Ron Monaghan, General Secretary of the Queensland Council of Unions.
“Queensland is the solar capital of Australia with over 330,000 homes with solar on their roofs, nearly 25% of all homes. This investment creates jobs, reduces power bills and supports a clean energy future,” said Toby Hutcheon, Executive, Queensland Conservation.
In related news, some of the country’s best known community and consumer groups; including Brotherhood of St. Laurence, ACOSS, the ATA and the Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre, have called on the Federal Government to leave the Renewable Energy Target alone.
In a letter to Prime Minister, the signatories state:
“In recommending a cut to the RET, the Warburton review panel seems to be ignoring the results of the research and analysis that it commissioned … We urge the government instead to focus on other areas that have had a vastly more significant effect on driving up power bills. These include electricity network pricing, wholesale gas prices and retail competition and regulation.”
Earlier this month, the Australian Technology Associated (ATA) warned yet another sector to suffer if certain Warburton review recommendations are implemented is the voluntary GreenPower scheme; which 600,000 Australians participate in. The review recommended electricity purchases through GreenPower be included within the mandated annual RET targets.
“GreenPower will basically collapse overnight if the Federal Government chooses to adopt this recommendation,” Damien Moyse, the ATA’s Policy & Research Manager, said.
It’s understood Labor’s environment spokesman Mark Butler has accepted an invitation from Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane, for a meeting to discuss the RET. While doing Mr. Macfarlane “a courtesy” by listening to what he has to say, Mr. Butler says Labor won’t support the recommendations from the Warburton review.
